“We had a great group of people that worked hard for 60 days,” he said. “They all got to the new areas and really delivered a positive message about jobs and job creation.”

Most of the newly redrawn 86th was Loganbill’s old 86th District. The Kansas Supreme Court’s redistricting forced a race between them that was unfortunate, Ward said.

“Judy has served the state well, and I’m sorry. I wish we didn’t have to run against each other,” he said.

Ward will face Republican John Stevens and Libertarian James Pruden in the November general election.

Ward, a former assistant district attorney and former member of the Wichita City Council and Wichita school board, has served in the House since 2003. He was in the state Senate in the early 1990s.

Loganbill, a teacher, had served in the 86th District since 2001.

“It was a tough race. I think that pretty well sums it up,” Loganbill said. “Every time I have run, I have always run to represent, and be a voice for the people of the 86th House District. It’s been a weird night all over the state.”

Loganbill said she had no idea what swung the race for Ward. But, she said, she will support him in the general election.

In other Wichita-area Kansas House races, Pamela Frieden, who wasn’t campaigning, led Sammy K. Flaharty, a former salon owner and substitute teacher, 61 percent to 39 percent in the Democratic primary for District 93. Frieden couldn’t withdraw her name from the ballot after redistricting set new deadlines to bow out, and she had supported Flaharty.

The winner of the primary is scheduled to meet Republican George Edwards, who is trying to succeed incumbent Dan Kerschen, in the November general election, and former legislator Dan Thimesch of Cheney, who is running as an independent.

In the Democratic primary in District 89 in northeast Wichita, Roderick Houston, pastor of Mt. Olive Tabernacle of Praise Church, led with 47 percent of the vote. Peggy Elliott, a minister and business consultant on diversity issues, had 31 percent and David Hansen, a retired pastor, had 21 percent.

The winner will face Republican Emanuel Banks in the general election.

Two House races were separated by a single percentage point late Tuesday.

In the District 97 Republican primary, incumbent Leslie Osterman led Jeff Blubaugh, a real estate broker and investor, 51 percent to 49 percent. The winner will face former Rep. Dale Swenson, a Democrat who lost his seat to Osterman two years ago, in November.

And in District 96, Republican Rick Lindsey, who has worked in security and retail management, led Wichita businessman Craig Gabel, 51 percent to 49 percent. The winner will face Democrat Brandon Whipple in November.

In other House races:

• District 101, Republicans: Incumbent Joe Seiwert led a three-candidate field with 53 percent, followed by real estate agent Jamey Blubaugh with 36 percent and Wichita pastor Mark E. Holick with 11 percent. The winner will face no Democratic opposition in the general election.

• District 91, Republicans: Incumbent Gene Suellentrop led Robin Clements, a small-business owner, 63 percent to 38 percent. Suellentrop, a business owner, has been in the House since 2009. The winner will face Democrat Katelyn A. Delvaux in November.

• District 83, Republicans: Tim Garvey, a property manager and adviser to the board of directors of Petroleum Inc., led Rodney Wren, the debate and forensics teacher at Wichita Collegiate School who pulled out of the race, 70 percent to 30 percent. The winner will face Democrat Carolyn Bridges in the general election.

• District 85, Democrats: retired school administrator and psychologist Barry D. Stanley led Rebecca Armstrong, 53 percent to 47 percent. Armstrong didn’t campaign, instead throwing her support to Stanley. The winner will face incumbent Republican Steve Brunk in the general election.

• District 88, Democrats: Patricia M. Sloop, a former clinical social worker and assistant professor, led Jason Zabel, an educator, 80 percent to 20 percent. The winner will face Republican Joseph Scapa in November.

• District 100, Republicans: Dan Hawkins, who owns an employee benefits insurance agency, led Bridget Schneider, a former teacher, 54 percent to 46 percent. John Wallace Willoughby is the Democrat who will be on the November ballot.

• District 103, Democrats: Incumbent Ponka-We Victors led Angela Martinez, a life-skills coach, 67 percent to 33 percent. No Republican candidate will be on the ballot in November.

Never miss a local story.

Sign up today for a free 30 day free trial of unlimited digital access.